"It is too long a story now, my dear little lady," replied Oswald;
"but I will another time. Whatever he may do, do not strike him; for
they never forgive a blow, I am told by those who know them, and it
never does them any good; as I said before, they are a queer race."
"He will not be beaten by us," replied Humphrey, "depend upon it,
unless Edith slaps him, for she is the one who takes most pains with
him, and I presume he would not care much about her little hand."
"No, no," replied Oswald, laughing; "Edith may do as she pleases. What
does he do for you?"
"Oh, nothing as yet, for he is hardly recovered, poor fellow," replied
Humphrey. "He follows Edith, and helps her to look for the eggs; and
last night he set some springes after his own fashion, and certainly
beat me, for he took three rabbits and a hare, while I, with all my
traps, only took one rabbit."
"I think you had better leave that part of your livelihood entirely to
him; he has been bred up to it, Humphrey, and it will be his
amusement. You must not expect him to work very hard; they are not
accustomed to it. They live a roving and never work if they can help
it: still, if you can make him fond of you, he may be very useful, for
they are very clever and handy.
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